With state-level elections over, the media spotlight is looking back at City Hall and next year's council elections. District and at-large councillors are on the 2011 ballot, and then there's the 13-member body's January election of City Council president.

So two City Council-centric pieces came out this week: From the Boston Phoenix, about the young progressives who are making the council fun to cover, and from the Boston Globe, about the race for City Council president, which at this time two years ago was already locked up.

Let's first go to speculation about next year's races. Rumors have been flying since earlier this year that former City Councillor At-Large Michael Flaherty is interested in getting back on the council as a way to help slingshot himself into another mayoral run down the road.

The Phoenix notes that sources are saying different things about how solid an at-large run is. (At the very least, the whispers should help goose fundraising for the current Council's incumbents, we would think.)

He could also be considering a run for Stephen Lynch's seat, should the South Boston Democrat run against U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in 2012.

As for the City Council presidency, the Globe reported Tuesday that City Councillor At-Large (and Dot native) Stephen Murphy is in the lead, and he publicly has three members of the Lunchtime Five -- the group of councillors who often grab lunch together -- backing him: Councillors Maureen Feeney, Robert Consalvo, and Bill Linehan. (Murphy and Councillor Sal LaMattina are the other two in group of five councillors.)

Councillor Charles Yancey has his own vote and a pledge of support from Councillor Chuck Turner, who might not be around in January to actually cast that vote.

Linehan and LaMattina's names continue to be bandied about as alternates if Murphy can't get the necessary votes. As the Phoenix notes, "They are safe choices, but would also probably be play-it-safe presidents."

Let's not forget about Councillor Mark Ciommo, either. His name is also being thrown about, and he also likely falls in the category of "play-it-safe presidents."